Wind energy plays a central role in tacking climate change, with global installed capacity expected to reach 2 TW by 2030. After installation, wind turbines are expected to run around 20-25 years, during which O&M (operation and maintenance) becomes crucial in maximising the economic and environmental benefits of wind assets. Current maintenance is performed by humans via rope access dangling in the sky along wind turbine blades (WTB) which is both dangerous and low in efficiency. The ultimate solution is a robotic system to avoid the need of humans working in the sky.
Romain, an ambitious collaborative endeavour, seeks to revolutionize the maintenance of WTBs, through the development of an innovative robotic solution. Traditional inspection methods, such as drone-based techniques, are limited to surface defect detections, unable to address subsurface issues. To bridge this gap, Romain integrates cutting-edge technologies, including lock-in shearography and thermography with laser heating, to identify and quantify both surface and subsurface defects WTBs. Complementing the inspection unit, Romain's repair capabilities encompass tasks like applying composite repair patches and conducting heating and compaction curing and consolidation, in a compact and efficient robotic system. This system is operated remotely by engineers on the ground or aboard vessels, significantly reducing risk exposure.
Driven by EDP Labelec, an end-user in the wind energy sector, the project brings together the expertise of three innovative SMEs: Aerones specializes in robotic deployment systems, Front Technologies focuses on advanced inspections, and Alerion contributes expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning. This collaborative effort is further strengthened by the involvement of University of Leeds and a research and technology organization (Tecnalia) specializing in composite repair.
This project aligns with key priorities in the European wind energy sector, including reducing O&M costs, enhancing safety, retaining technological leadership, promoting export competitiveness and contributes to the European Commission's commitment to a net-zero economy by 2050. Romain's impact extends beyond its immediate objectives, advancing robotics solutions in harsh environments and integrating advanced optical inspection techniques into robotic systems. This not only addresses current wind turbine maintenance challenges but also paves the way for future developments in the renewable energy sector.
